Development and Characterization of Coffee Specific Microsatellite Markers for use as Potential Genetic Markers

Availability of informative genetic markers is prerequisite for effective genetic-linkage studies. Recent advances in molecular biology have led to the development of a plethora of DNA variation based efficient marker systems that promise- impetus, dependability and directionality to the genetic improvement efforts. Among various types of DNA markers the short-sequence repeat (SSR) based microsatellite markers have proven to be the most desirable for genetic studies due to their codominant nature, stability, abundance, sensitivity, ease and speed of analysis, minimal sample requirements and suitability for automation. Despite their potential and desirability, very few such markers have been developed and described in the literature for coffee tilldate. Under the first Indian initiative on Coffee Genomics, we have been able to develop 150+ new coffee microsats that provide potential genetic markers for germplasm characterization and molecular linkage studies in coffee. For development of microsatellite markers, small-insert, partial, genomic libraries (comprising ~ 75,000 plasmid clones) were constructed from total DNA of Coffea arabica var.HdeT (Hibrido-de-Timor) and C. canephora. These libraries spotted on high-densit